Newton Abbot, Friday 3 July 2026: Tips & Selections

Newton Abbot, Friday 3 July 2026: Tips & Selections

A sunny summer Friday at Newton Abbot, with good ground across the card. Six races on offer, and the tight, flat track plays into the hands of horses that travel fluently and jockeys who know their way around. Three races stand out for punters looking for angles, and there is a clear NAP among them. With the British Grand Prix weekend building at Silverstone, the racing crowd that stays home gets some decent summer jumping action to get stuck into.

2:10 — Sky Sports Racing Mares’ Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race)

Selection: Likewhatyousee at 7/4 (Boyle Sports, Betfred)

Beaten only a neck on her hurdles debut at this very track, Likewhatyousee ran out of juice in the closing stages against a stronger, more experienced rival. That run reeked of a horse who will improve markedly for the experience. She already knows Newton Abbot, she already handles this distance and today’s good ground, and connections clearly liked what they saw enough to bring her straight back here. At 7/4 in a maiden with live outsiders taking up space in the market, that looks a fair price for something this progressive.

The Jonjo O’Neill yard has had 2 wins from 15 runners in the last 14 days, which is not a yard firing on all cylinders, but Jonjo Jr in the plate adds confidence. He rides this track with a purpose and will have been told to get a better tune from her this time around.

For her glory at 9/4 is the main danger. She won a bumper before getting competitive and setting too hot a pace on her second start. If she settles under a hood, she could improve significantly. Dan Skelton’s Getmyfriend switches from bumpers and the Skelton operation is in excellent form at 10/26 winners over the past 14 days, so she warrants respect. But Likewhatyousee gets the nod on course form and a clear line through this race.

3:55 — Howden Insurance Handicap Chase (GBB Race)

Selection: Gore Point at 9/4 (Boyle Sports, Betfred, LiveScore Bet)

Four runners only, but the angles matter even in a small field. Gore Point landed a handicap by 20 lengths at Stratford just four days ago off a 7lb lower mark. Yes, the handicapper has had his say, but a horse who wins by that distance does not suggest he was getting away with something. He was travelling with real menace throughout that race, and the form of dominant winners in small-field chases often holds up better than you might expect.

He is proven at this trip and this going, and Anthony Honeyball’s yard carries a 20% strike rate at Newton Abbot from 122 runners. Sam Twiston-Davies takes the ride, and his 23% course record from 412 rides here is the strongest of any jockey in the data. The combination of a horse in form, proven conditions, and the course’s most effective jockey is hard to dismiss.

Duke Of Luckley is the obvious danger having won by 15 lengths at Southwell last time, but that was a 9lb lower mark and the five-pound claimer rides. Krak is interesting for the Twiston-Davies yard on a debut for that stable, but the form has gaps and Honeyball’s horse has done it recently and dominantly.

4:30 — Gordon Rowe Memorial Handicap Hurdle

Selection: Max Of Stars Each-Way at 10/3 (Boyle Sports, LiveScore Bet)

She won this exact race 12 months ago. Course, distance, good ground, front-running style. It all points back to a horse who has done it here before and who is built for this track. She arrives off a solid Flat prep which suggests fitness is not a concern, and if she gets a clear lead at Newton Abbot’s flat track, she can be a difficult proposition to reel in when travelling at her own rhythm.

Brian Hughes picks up the ride. His 21% record at Newton Abbot from 29 rides shows he is comfortable around here and will know exactly how to handle a front-runner at this venue.

Emerald Time is the one most likely to give her trouble. That Worcester win by three lengths off a reduced mark was solid, and the tongue-tie stays on. Continuance is consistent and rarely runs a bad race, so this is genuinely competitive for a five-runner hurdle. The each-way play on Max Of Stars makes plenty of sense at 10/3 with two places paid at 1/4 odds.

Today’s NAP

Gore Point — Howden Insurance Handicap Chase (3:55, Newton Abbot)
Odds: 9/4 — Boyle Sports (others: 9/4 Betfred, 9/4 LiveScore Bet)

A horse who won by 20 lengths four days ago, proven at today’s trip and going, ridden by the course’s most prolific jockey and trained by a handler with a strong Newton Abbot record. The handicapper’s revision is the only question, but dominant winners in small-field chases tend to back it up. This ticks more boxes than anything else on the card.